Let Freedom ring BeLL-Ringing Commemoration

Suggested Guidelines
The world will pause to remember, reflect and act upon the dream that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., shared with the world, 50 years ago, on August 28, 1963. The King Center and the 50th Anniversary Coalition are calling on people and organizations across America to help culminate the 50 th anniversary of The March on Washington and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.s I Have a Dream speech with Let Freedom Ring bell -ringing events at 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time on August 28 th, a half-century to the minute after Dr. King delivered his historic address. To confirm the spirit of the dream in hosting your Let Freedom Ring celebration, please see below some recommendations that will ensure people across cultural and political lines celebrate the common humanity in creative and uplifting ways.

The Theme
Our World, His Dream: Freedom Make it Happen is the theme for the Let Freedom Ring Commemoration and call to action. The theme is undergirded by the three sub-themes: Freedom to Prosper in Life; F reedom to Peacefully CoExist; and Freedom to Participate in Government. (For more details about the theme and sub-themes please see page 2).

The Bell
The ringing of the bell will begin at 3:00 p.m. EST in your respective time zones. The bell may be rung before, during or after your program/ celebration. Any bell may be used for the commemoration; however, the bell tone should be deep to lend solemnity to the commemoration. Bells should ring for no longer than 15 seconds or less. If your community doesn't have a facility with a large bell, play a recording of bells ringing.

Creativity
To exercise creativity in developing your bell-ringing programs, give your program a special stamp of local character in a way that affirms Dr. Kings dream of a nation united in justice, compassion and goodwill to all.

Speeches/Tributes
Please ensure your program is not too long (less than two hours). Any speeches given during the celebration should be very short, and polarizing debates should be avoided.

The American Flag

Dr. King always marched with the American flag, sot would be appropriate to have one present. See http://www.usaflag-site.org/etiquette-display.shtml for proper flag protocol during your program.

The Venue
Persons with Disabilities: Please ensure that your venue is accessible to people with disabilities and there should be a physician or registered nurse present at outdoor programs where high temperatures are expected. Water should also be available. Security: Care should be taken to provide for security. Cleanliness: All attendees should have access to sanitary facilities. We recommend a clean-up committee to insure that there is no trash visible after your program.

I Have A Dream speech

For a copy of Dr. Kings I Have A Dream speech, please visit http://www.thekingcenter.org/archive/document/i-havedream-1#

Inclusion/Diversity
No Exclusivity: Programs should affirm in some way the interconnectedness of people of all races, religions and cultures and the spirit of Dr. Kings challenge to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood. Just one example would be a multicultural choir. Youth: Dr. King mentioned children in several places in his I Have a Dream speech; therefore, we suggest involving groups of children in bell-ringing programs. EXAMPLE: Have children wearing clothing that reflects their heritage, read excerpts from Dr. Kings speech, or singing an appropriate song. Ecumenical/Interfaith: If your program offers prayers during this commemoration, we recommend they be ecumenical/ interfaith in nature, showing respect for all religions or, alternatively, allowing clergy of different faiths to say short prayers in their traditions. Deaf and Hard of Hearing: Speeches, tributes, prayers, etc. should be interpreted for the deaf and hard of hearing.

Let Freedom ring Bell-Ringing Commemoration

Suggested Guidelines (continue)

The Pledge and Call To Action
The King Center will be sharing a pledge by August 21, 2013 via our website and email that we are asking everyone to recite at 3:00pm EST.

PLEASE REGISTER YOUR BELL-RINGING COMMEMORATION WITH US AT ___***********************_______ (Please include the location, address, city, state or country and contact person name and email.)

Please use this list of sub-themes as a guide to help you organize your celebration.

Freedom to Participate in Government

Citizenship Education Just and Fair Government with Transparency & Accountability Socially Responsible Public Policies and Reform Fair Elections and Voter Registration without Disenfranchisement of Voters and Voter Suppression The Right to Nonviolent Protest and Peaceful Assembly Fair Immigration Laws & Regulations Equal Protection Under the Law Fair and Equitable Criminal Justice System, Ending Mass Incarceration Freedom from Human Trafficking

Freedom to Peacefully Co-Exist Creation of a Beloved Community Freedom from Racism and Discrimination including Racial, Ethnic or Cultural Profiling Strong United Nations and International Cooperation, Call for Reconciliation Freedom from Militarism, War, Violence/Bullying (verbal & nonverbal) Common Sense Gun Reform Freedom from Torture, Unlawful Detention and Imprisonment Quality Universal Primary Education Freedom from Terrorism and Tyranny, Colonization, Human Displacement & Statelessness Clean and Green Nations, free of Pollution & Global Warming

Freedom to Prosper in Life

Equitable Economic Development, Empowerment and Access to Capitol Universal Health Care and Good Health as a Human Right Fair, Living Wages and Equal Pay for Equal Work Access to Equal, Quality, Free Education Equitable and Fair Housing Practices, Ending Red Lining Freedom from Excessive Consumption and Consumerism Freedom from Unemployment & Underemployment Freedom from Chronic Hunger, Malnutrition and Poverty Freedom From Economic Oppression and Depression

Use Your Smart Phone to scan this QRC for more information about the Let Freedom Ring Bell-Ringing

For more information about the 50th Anniversary of the I Have a Dream speech, please contact: The King Center (Atlanta, GA) Steve Klein 404-526-8944 or sklein@thekingcenter.org or visit the website www.mlkdream50.com